Shearer hopes Newcastle Utd can finish on a high at Liverpool

ALAN Shearer is looking for Newcastle United end the season on a high at Anfield – and give fans some hope to take into the summer.

Newcastle take on second-placed Liverpool tomorrow in the final day of the Premier League season.

Ninth-placed United’s once-promising season has unravelled since the turn of the year.

Last weekend’s 3-0 win over Cardiff City ended a club-record run of six successive Premier League defeats.

Supporters, unhappy at the direction of the club, chanted against Newcastle manager Alan Pardew and club owner Mike Ashley during the game.

And 2,800 United fans will head to Anfield – where the club hasn’t won a league game in 20 years – more in hope than expectation.

Match of the Day pundit Shearer, Newcastle’s all-time record goalscorer, was on South Tyneside this week for a sold-out dinner, organised by Wraith Promotions, at Hedworth Hall, South Shields.

But Shearer – who will be part of the BBC’s World Cup team in Brazil – can’t see an upset on Merseyside.

Asked about United’s chances of taking all three points, Shearer said: “It would be nice.

“It would give something small back if they could go there and give the fans a little bit of hope for the summer.

“But I can’t see it happening, as much as I’d love it to.”

Manchester City – who face West Ham United at home – need just a point to deny Liverpool and secure their second league title in three years.

However, Shearer, having seen a season full of shocks, isn’t ruling anything in – or out – in the final 90 minutes of the campaign.

The 43-year-old and his Blackburn Rovers team-mates won the Premier League title at Anfield on the final day of the 1994-95 season despite losing 2-1 to Liverpool.

“I’d be amazed if City chuck it away now, but it’s been that type of season that you wouldn’t bank on it,” Shearer said.

“QPR went to Man City two years ago and gave them a real big scare.

“Will West Ham do that? I doubt it. But we can’t predict anything this season.

“Look at Sunderland going to Chelsea, Man United and City and getting those points. It’s impossible to predict.”

Gosforth-born Shearer scored 206 goals for United during his decade at St James’s Park.

He also remains the all-time leading Premier League goalscorer with 260 goals.

l FRANK Clark, John Beresford, Steve Howey, Darren Peacock and Peter Jackson are among the former Newcastle United players appearing at “The Black and White Reunion - The Defenders” at the Lancastrian Suite, Dunston, on Sunday, May 18.